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Minister scraps York visit in face of rail protest

RMT campaign scares off Tory Claire Perry

A TORY minister cancelled a visit to Yorkshire yesterday in the face of a demonstration by union activists and campaigners.

Rail Minister Claire Perry was due to visit York — once a key centre for train manufacturing — with Northern Rail bosses.

But the transport union RMT is running a campaign across northern England against plans to axe jobs, services and ticket offices when new franchises for two key rail operations are awarded — Northern Rail and Trans-Pennine Express.

The union pledged to greet her with a demonstration but she pulled out of the visit.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said there were rumours of angry squabbles between government officials and bidders for the new franchises. The demonstration still went ahead.

“Clearly the union fight over the threat to Northern and Trans-Pennine Express is having a major impact and we will be out in force in York this afternoon keeping the pressure on,” he said.

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